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Back in the saddle

I biked with MapMyRide!

Distance: 11.28mi
time: 01:01:13
pace: 5:26min/mi
speed: 11.05mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1133123201

It’s funny because a bike seat is also called a saddle 🙂

I have biked 3 times in the last 3 weeks but today I made a commitment to get back on my regular schedule.  Mostly because I realized how out of shape I felt riding today but also because I remember how much I like it.

I have lots of excuses on why I haven’t been out and some of them may even be valid. But I have signed up for my Apple Cider Century ride at the end of September and am planning to do 50 miles so no more excuses.  I want that ride to be fun and enjoyable,  not a death march.

So here’s to no more excuses.  🙂

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Claimed new territory!

I biked with MapMyRide
Distance: 12.78mi
Time: 01:08:08
Pace: 5:20min/mi
Speed: 11.25mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1115901757

Went farther south then I have been before and discovered the rt 137 underpass. It was deliciously close to a Starbucks so I am excited for my next longer ride to take a break in the middle!!

On the way back I spotted this log with 3 little flowers growing out of it.  It almost looks man made but it was definitely of the path so I think it’s natural.  Either way it made me smile.

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When imaginations ride wild!

I biked with MapMyRide!
Distance: 7.10mi
time: 38:58
pace: 5:29min/mi
speed: 10.93mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1105296589

Today I wanted to do a 6 mile loop but was getting bored of my north route so decided to go south.  There isn’t a good turn around south though so I thought I would just go for a bit then double back.

At about the turn around point I saw a well worn trail heading off into the woods.  I had been down there once before with Brent and thought it lead to a park.

Well it kinda does but its a deserted park and part of a Serbian church in the area (I found this out later by using google maps). Everything is a run down and my active imagination was making it a bit more spooky then it probably was.

barn cemetary

To ride or not to ride…

I biked with MapMyRide!
Distance: 15.47mi,
time: 01:17:24,
pace: 5:00min/mi,
speed: 11.99mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1090831757

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Received a moving soliloquy from Brent today that motivated me to ride even though my legs were jelly from yesterday.  It was worth it,  good riding weather,  a dash of wildlife, and a race with a train.

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Brent racing a train

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Here is a tiny toad. After snapping his image for my pokedex, I shooed him off into the grass.

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These are mushrooms that when I first ride by I thought might be morels. On the way back I stopped to inspect closer and could clearly see they were not.  Ahh dissapointment.

My Workout

I biked with MapMyRide!
Distance: 16.99mi
time: 01:23:45
pace: 4:56min/mi
speed: 12.17mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1089495085

South is still flooded but the north is open although the wildlife doesn’t seem to know yet.  I saw a deer happily munching on leaves and when she didn’t run as I drove by I stopped to take a picture.

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I also saw this feisty little crawdad crossing the path. After taking some pictures of his attack pose I found a dead branch with some leaves that he eagerly grabbed on to and then I moved him to the side of the path.

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All in all a beautiful sunset ride!

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Break on through

I biked with MapMyRide!
Distance: 7.12mi
time: 39:52
pace: 5:36min/mi
speed: 10.71mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1083031583

So it appears the rain on Saturday has once again flooded the trail. I rode my inner loop (flood to flood) then decided to cross the street and explore a bit.

I found a nice park with some paved walking trails before heading home.  Best part was that doing it this way I missed all the hills in the neighborhood back to my house!

Also check out my awesome new accessory! Now I can bring juice with me on short rides when I can’t be bothered to fill my camelbak.

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Thunderbolts and lightening

I biked with MapMyRide!
Distance: 9.26mi
time: 50:34
pace: 5:28min/mi
speed: 10.98mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1078609527

Had some errands to run today so the plan was to ride then stop at the Walgreens on the way home.  Started drizzling a bit about halfway through then the thunder started.

Still not a big deal – I rode last Saturday in the rain no problem.  Then it started raining a bit harder,  I’m still okay since most of the trail is through a forest so I wasn’t getting that wet.  But when I left the trail to go to the store it started coming down in sheets!

Just as I arrived The Other called to see my plan. He was also grumbling cause I left all the windows open. I told him to finish cleaning up and closing windows.  I would do my shopping and hopefully the rain would end.  It didn’t.

Eventually Jackie and Brent were alerted to my predicament. They came to keep me company and help in case my bike didn’t fit in my car.  The Other came and got me though and my bike fit no problems.

Now its all sunny out so if I had just waited 2-3 hours I could have ridden home!!!

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Sunny Sunday Ride

I biked with MapMyRide!
Distance: 12.56mi
time: 01:01:25
pace: 4:53min/mi
speed: 12.27mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1069834095

Honestly wasn’t planning on riding today but it was such a beautiful day I decided to go out.  The Other cane with and we went to Independence Grove. We even rode around the park a little bit and rested for a while in the shade by the lake.  A great ride!

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